Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.
The best business credit cards offer rich ongoing rewards and business-friendly benefits that can help you reach your goals faster. Consider what type of rewards will be most useful (cash back or points) and any other features — like intro APR period, travel credits or bonus categories — that can save your business time and money.
Best business credit cards of November 2024
- American Express® Business Gold Card: Best for bonus categories that sync with your spending.
- The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card: Best for businesses with annual spend below $50K.
- Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card: Best for cash back boost (up to 75% more).
- Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® Secured: Best for seured business credit card.
- The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express: Best business card for new businesses.
- Brex Card: Best for corporate card (no personal guarantee).
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for airport lounge access + travel credits.
- Capital One Spark Cash Plus: Best for business charge (no preset spending limit).
- Capital One Spark Cash Select: Best for unlimited 1.5% cash back.
- Capital One Spark Miles for Business: Best for travel reards (flat-rate).
- Capital One Venture X Business: Best for business travel card.
- Ink Business Cash® Credit Card: Best for up to 5% cash back in bonus categories.
- Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Best for travel points + welcome offer.
- Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card: Best for cash-back business credit card.
- Ink Business Premier® Credit Card: Best for no preset spending limit.
- Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Best for hotel business card.
- U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®: Best for intro APR period (purchases and balance transfers).
- U.S. Bank Business Altitude™ Connect World Elite Mastercard®: Best for 4X points on travel (up to $150K).
- United℠ Business Card: Best for airline business travel card.
- Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash℠ Card: Best for unlimited 2% cash back and no annual fee.
While all of our picks for business credit cards are chosen by our editorial team without outside input, the cards highlighted below are those available from our partners. You can jump to our "other picks" section for additional options not currently available through NerdWallet.
250+ small-business products reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
95+ years of combined experience covering small-business and personal finance.
Objective comprehensive business credit card ratings rubric (Methodology).
NerdWallet's business credit card content, including our ratings, reviews and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in business credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, Washington Post, MarketWatch, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur, ABC News, MSN and other national and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our coverage. We independently evaluate and rate dozens of small-business credit cards, scoring them on fees, rewards rates, bonus offers and other features to help you choose the best business card for your company.
Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.
The best business credit cards offer rich ongoing rewards and business-friendly benefits that can help you reach your goals faster. Consider what type of rewards will be most useful (cash back or points) and any other features — like intro APR period, travel credits or bonus categories — that can save your business time and money.
Best business credit cards of November 2024
- American Express® Business Gold Card: Best for bonus categories that sync with your spending.
- The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card: Best for businesses with annual spend below $50K.
- Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card: Best for cash back boost (up to 75% more).
- Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® Secured: Best for seured business credit card.
- The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express: Best business card for new businesses.
- Brex Card: Best for corporate card (no personal guarantee).
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for airport lounge access + travel credits.
- Capital One Spark Cash Plus: Best for business charge (no preset spending limit).
- Capital One Spark Cash Select: Best for unlimited 1.5% cash back.
- Capital One Spark Miles for Business: Best for travel reards (flat-rate).
- Capital One Venture X Business: Best for business travel card.
- Ink Business Cash® Credit Card: Best for up to 5% cash back in bonus categories.
- Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Best for travel points + welcome offer.
- Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card: Best for cash-back business credit card.
- Ink Business Premier® Credit Card: Best for no preset spending limit.
- Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Best for hotel business card.
- U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®: Best for intro APR period (purchases and balance transfers).
- U.S. Bank Business Altitude™ Connect World Elite Mastercard®: Best for 4X points on travel (up to $150K).
- United℠ Business Card: Best for airline business travel card.
- Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash℠ Card: Best for unlimited 2% cash back and no annual fee.
While all of our picks for business credit cards are chosen by our editorial team without outside input, the cards highlighted below are those available from our partners. You can jump to our "other picks" section for additional options not currently available through NerdWallet.
250+ small-business products reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
95+ years of combined experience covering small-business and personal finance.
Objective comprehensive business credit card ratings rubric (Methodology).
NerdWallet's business credit card content, including our ratings, reviews and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in business credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, Washington Post, MarketWatch, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur, ABC News, MSN and other national and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our coverage. We independently evaluate and rate dozens of small-business credit cards, scoring them on fees, rewards rates, bonus offers and other features to help you choose the best business card for your company.
Here are the best business credit cards
| Best for | NerdWallet rating▼ | Annual fee▼ | Rewards rate | Intro offer | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Up to 5% cash back in bonus categories Ink Business Cash® Credit Card Apply now on Chase's website | 4.8/5 | $0 | 1%-5% Cashback | $350 | Apply now on Chase's website |
Business charge card (no preset limit) Capital One Spark Cash Plus Apply now on Capital One's website Rates & Fees | 5.0/5 | $150 | 2%-5% Cashback | $2,000 ⏱️ New bonus offer | Apply now on Capital One's website Rates & Fees |
Business card for new businesses The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees | 4.4/5 | $0 | 1x-2x Points | 15,000 Points | Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees |
Businesses with annual spend below $50K The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees | 4.7/5 | $0 | 1%-2% Cashback | $250 | Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees |
Cash back boost (up to 75% more) Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card Apply now on Bank of America's website | 4.4/5 | $0 | 1.5% Cashback | $300 | Apply now on Bank of America's website |
Bonus categories that sync with your spending American Express® Business Gold Card Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees | 4.6/5 | $375 | 1x-4x Points | 100,000 Points ⏱️ New elevated offer | Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees |
Travel points + welcome offer Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card Apply now on Chase's website | 4.7/5 | $95 | 1x-3x Points | 90,000 Points | Apply now on Chase's website |
Airport lounge access + travel credits The Business Platinum Card® from American Express Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees | 4.8/5 | $695 | 1x-5x Points | 150,000 Points | Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees |
No preset spending limit Ink Business Premier® Credit Card Apply now on Chase's website | 4.5/5 | $195 | 2%-5% Cashback | $1,000 | Apply now on Chase's website |
Business travel card Capital One Venture X Business Apply now on Capital One's website Rates & Fees | 5.0/5 | $395 | 2x-10x Miles | 150,000 Miles | Apply now on Capital One's website Rates & Fees |
Travel rewards (flat-rate) Capital One Spark Miles for Business Apply now on Capital One's website Rates & Fees | 4.5/5 | $0 intro for the first year, then $95 | 2x-5x Points | 50,000 Points | Apply now on Capital One's website Rates & Fees |
Unlimited 1.5% cash back Capital One Spark Cash Select Apply now on Capital One's website Rates & Fees | 4.9/5 | $0 | 1.5%-5% Cashback | $500 | Apply now on Capital One's website Rates & Fees |
Intro APR period (purchases) U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® Apply now on U.S. Bank's website Rates & Fees | 5.0/5 | $0 | 1%-3% Cashback | $750 | Apply now on U.S. Bank's website Rates & Fees |
Hotel business card Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees | 4.9/5 | $125 | 2x-6x Points | 50,000 Points | Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees |
Airline business credit card United℠ Business Card Apply now on Chase's website | 5.0/5 | $0 intro for the first year, then $99 | 1x-2x Miles | 75,000 Miles | Apply now on Chase's website |
4X points on travel (up to $150K) U.S. Bank Business Altitude™ Connect World Elite Mastercard® Apply now on U.S. Bank's website Rates & Fees | 5.0/5 | $0 intro for the first year, then $95 | 1x-5x Points | 60,000 Points | Apply now on U.S. Bank's website Rates & Fees |
Corporate card (no personal guarantee) Brex Card Apply now on Brex's website | 3.2/5 | $0 | 1x-7x Points | 10,000 Points | Apply now on Brex's website |
| Best for | NerdWallet rating▼ | Annual fee▼ | Rewards rate | Intro offer | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Up to 5% cash back in bonus categories Ink Business Cash® Credit Card Apply now on Chase's website | 4.8/5 | $0 | 1%-5% Cashback | $350 | Apply now on Chase's website |
Business charge card (no preset limit) Capital One Spark Cash Plus Apply now on Capital One's website Rates & Fees | 5.0/5 | $150 | 2%-5% Cashback | $2,000 ⏱️ New bonus offer | Apply now on Capital One's website Rates & Fees |
Business card for new businesses The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees | 4.4/5 | $0 | 1x-2x Points | 15,000 Points | Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees |
Businesses with annual spend below $50K The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees | 4.7/5 | $0 | 1%-2% Cashback | $250 | Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees |
Cash back boost (up to 75% more) Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card Apply now on Bank of America's website | 4.4/5 | $0 | 1.5% Cashback | $300 | Apply now on Bank of America's website |
Bonus categories that sync with your spending American Express® Business Gold Card Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees | 4.6/5 | $375 | 1x-4x Points | 100,000 Points ⏱️ New elevated offer | Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees |
Travel points + welcome offer Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card Apply now on Chase's website | 4.7/5 | $95 | 1x-3x Points | 90,000 Points | Apply now on Chase's website |
Airport lounge access + travel credits The Business Platinum Card® from American Express Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees | 4.8/5 | $695 | 1x-5x Points | 150,000 Points | Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees |
No preset spending limit Ink Business Premier® Credit Card Apply now on Chase's website | 4.5/5 | $195 | 2%-5% Cashback | $1,000 | Apply now on Chase's website |
Business travel card Capital One Venture X Business Apply now on Capital One's website Rates & Fees | 5.0/5 | $395 | 2x-10x Miles | 150,000 Miles | Apply now on Capital One's website Rates & Fees |
Travel rewards (flat-rate) Capital One Spark Miles for Business Apply now on Capital One's website Rates & Fees | 4.5/5 | $0 intro for the first year, then $95 | 2x-5x Points | 50,000 Points | Apply now on Capital One's website Rates & Fees |
Unlimited 1.5% cash back Capital One Spark Cash Select Apply now on Capital One's website Rates & Fees | 4.9/5 | $0 | 1.5%-5% Cashback | $500 | Apply now on Capital One's website Rates & Fees |
Intro APR period (purchases) U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® Apply now on U.S. Bank's website Rates & Fees | 5.0/5 | $0 | 1%-3% Cashback | $750 | Apply now on U.S. Bank's website Rates & Fees |
Hotel business card Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees | 4.9/5 | $125 | 2x-6x Points | 50,000 Points | Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees |
Airline business credit card United℠ Business Card Apply now on Chase's website | 5.0/5 | $0 intro for the first year, then $99 | 1x-2x Miles | 75,000 Miles | Apply now on Chase's website |
4X points on travel (up to $150K) U.S. Bank Business Altitude™ Connect World Elite Mastercard® Apply now on U.S. Bank's website Rates & Fees | 5.0/5 | $0 intro for the first year, then $95 | 1x-5x Points | 60,000 Points | Apply now on U.S. Bank's website Rates & Fees |
Corporate card (no personal guarantee) Brex Card Apply now on Brex's website | 3.2/5 | $0 | 1x-7x Points | 10,000 Points | Apply now on Brex's website |
I'M INTERESTED IN:
Our pick for
Up to 5% cash back in bonus categories
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Read Review
Apply now
on Chase's website
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-5% Cashback
Intro offer
$350
Pros
- No annual fee
- Intro APR period
- New cardholder bonus offer
Cons
- Requires good/excellent credit
- Low rate outside bonus categories
- Spending caps on bonus rewards
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-5% Cashback
Intro offer
$350
Pros
- No annual fee
- Intro APR period
- New cardholder bonus offer
Cons
- Requires good/excellent credit
- Low rate outside bonus categories
- Spending caps on bonus rewards
Businesses that primarily spend on office supplies and telecom services will get the most value out of this card, provided you won’t blow through the $25,000 cap.
- Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening
- Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
- Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
- 10% Business Relationship Bonus If you have the Ink Business Cash card plus a Chase Business Checking account on your first card anniversary
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
- Member FDIC
Our pick for
Business charge card (no preset limit)
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Annual fee
$150
Rewards rate
2%-5% Cashback
Intro offer
$2,000
⏱️ New bonus offer
Pros
- Earns cash back on primary and employee cards
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Balance must be paid in full every month
- Has annual fee
- High spending requirement to hit full welcome bonus, annual bonus offers
Annual fee
$150
Rewards rate
2%-5% Cashback
Intro offer
$2,000
⏱️ New bonus offer
Pros
- Earns cash back on primary and employee cards
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Balance must be paid in full every month
- Has annual fee
- High spending requirement to hit full welcome bonus, annual bonus offers
This card is best for businesses with big expenses and the cash flow to match. There's no preset spending limit and you’ll earn 2% cash back on all purchases. You can also net an outstanding welcome offer.
- Earn a one-time cash bonus of $2,000 once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months
- Earn an additional $2,000 cash bonus for every $500K spent during the first year. You can earn this bonus multiple times over the course of year 1!
- Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Enjoy purchasing power that adapts to your business. The Spark Cash Plus card has no preset spending limit, so it can adapt to your needs based on your spending behavior, payment history, credit profile and other factors
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while you earn rewards from their transactions with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- $150 annual fee - Spend $150,000 annually and Capital One will refund this fee every year
- Spark Cash Plus has no APR because your balance is due in full every month
- For businesses that need large spending capacity and want to maximize cash back
View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Business card for new businesses
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1x-2x Points
Intro offer
15,000 Points
Pros
- No annual fee
- High rewards rate
- Intro APR period
- Transfer partners
Cons
- Spending caps on bonus rewards
- Requires good/excellent credit
You get a great reward rate, a long intro APR period and no annual fee. Plus, you’ll earn Membership Rewards points, which you can redeem for travel (1 point = $1) or as a statement credit for a slightly lower value.
- Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.99% - 25.99%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
- Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Terms and limitations apply.
- You’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power. *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is flexible, so it adapts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors. Just remember, the amount you can spend with Expanded Buying Power is not unlimited.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply.
View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Businesses with annual spend below $50K
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-2% Cashback
Intro offer
$250
Pros
- No annual fee
- High rewards rate
- Intro APR period
- Cash rewards
Cons
- Spending caps on bonus rewards
- Requires good/excellent credit
You get a long intro APR period and high cash-back rate without worrying about bonus categories. But the card's highest rewards (2%) only apply to the first $50,000 in spending each year — a relatively low cap for many business owners.
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.99% - 25.99%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
- Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
- From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That’s why you’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power.
- Just remember, the amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us and other factors.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply.
View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Cash back boost (up to 75% more)
Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card
Read Review
Apply now
on Bank of America's website
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5% Cashback
Intro offer
$300
Pros
- No annual fee
- New cardholder bonus offer
- High cash back rate
Cons
- Has foreign transaction fee
- Requires excellent credit
Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card
Apply now
on Bank of America's website
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5% Cashback
Intro offer
$300
Pros
- No annual fee
- New cardholder bonus offer
- High cash back rate
Cons
- Has foreign transaction fee
- Requires excellent credit
If you have a Bank of America business checking account, this card is a no-brainer. The rewards boost for Preferred Rewards for Business members turns the standard cash-back rate into 2.62% if you qualify for the highest tier. The card is less compelling if Bank of America isn't your primary business bank.
- Get a $300 online statement credit after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on purchases, or join Preferred Rewards for Business for no fee, and earn up to an unlimited 2.62% cash back on all purchases if you have a Bank of America® business checking account and qualify for Preferred Rewards for Business Platinum Honors tier.
- No annual cap and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- No annual fee.
- Choose how to redeem your cash rewards – as a deposit into your Bank of America® checking or savings account, as a card statement credit or as a check mailed to you.
- 0% Introductory APR on purchases for your first 9 billing cycles. After the intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that's currently 17.99% to 27.99% will apply.
- Contactless Cards - the security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This offer may not be available if you leave this page or visit our website. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Our pick for
Bonus categories that sync with your spending
Annual fee
$375
Rewards rate
1x-4x Points
Intro offer
100,000 Points
⏱️ New elevated offer
Pros
- Bonus categories
- Transfer partners
- Luxury perks
Cons
- Has annual fee
- Complicated rewards
- Spending caps on bonus rewards
- Requires good/excellent credit
You'll earn 4X points on your top two eligible bonus categories each month, up to $150,000 in combined spend annually. And your bonus categories adjust automatically based on your spending. The biggest downside? The annual fee.
- Welcome Offer: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
- 0% Intro APR ¤ for 6 months from the date of account opening on purchases eligible for Pay Over Time, then a 18.99% to 27.99% variable APR.*
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.*
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.*
- Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.
- Get up to a $12.95** statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. **Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.*
- The Business Gold Card now comes in three metal designs: Gold, Rose Gold and Limited Edition White Gold. White Gold design is only available while supplies last. Make your selection when you apply on Americanexpress.com.
- *Terms Apply
View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Travel points + welcome offer
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Read Review
Apply now
on Chase's website
Annual fee
$95
Rewards rate
1x-3x Points
Intro offer
90,000 Points
Pros
- New cardholder bonus offer
- Bonus categories
- Transfer partners
Cons
- Has annual fee
- No intro APR offer
Annual fee
$95
Rewards rate
1x-3x Points
Intro offer
90,000 Points
Pros
- New cardholder bonus offer
- Bonus categories
- Transfer partners
Cons
- Has annual fee
- No intro APR offer
This is one of our favorite business travel cards, thanks to its low annual fee, high rewards rate and outstanding welcome offer. While you don’t get extras like lounge access or travel credits, you do get one of the best point redemption rates in the industry.
- Earn 90k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 cash back or $1,125 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
- Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
- Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
- Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Member FDIC
Our pick for
Airport lounge access + travel credits
Annual fee
$695
Rewards rate
1x-5x Points
Intro offer
150,000 Points
Pros
- Lounge membership
- Transfer partners
- Bonus categories
- Automatic elite status
- Premium travel protections
Cons
- High annual fee
- Complicated rewards
- Requires good/excellent credit
This card is built for business owners who spend more time in an airport than an office. Yes, it has a beast of an annual fee. But it includes some serious travel perks, including access to multiple airport lounge networks and automatic hotel elite status, plus credits for airline fees, wireless bills and trusted traveler programs.
- Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
- 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
- Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
- Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. See how you can unlock over $1,000 annually in credits on select purchases with the Business Platinum Card®, here.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to the Card.
- $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the Business Platinum Card®.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
- $695 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
No preset spending limit
Ink Business Premier® Credit Card
Read Review
Apply now
on Chase's website
Annual fee
$195
Rewards rate
2%-5% Cashback
Intro offer
$1,000
Pros
- High rewards rate
- New cardholder bonus offer
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Has annual fee
- Requires good/excellent credit
- Purchases that don’t qualify for Flex for Business must be paid in full every month
Annual fee
$195
Rewards rate
2%-5% Cashback
Intro offer
$1,000
Pros
- High rewards rate
- New cardholder bonus offer
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Has annual fee
- Requires good/excellent credit
- Purchases that don’t qualify for Flex for Business must be paid in full every month
Businesses with frequent, big-ticket expenses will get the most value out of this charge card thanks to its cash-back boost (2.5% on purchases of $5,000 or more) and lack of a preset spending limit.
- Earn $1,000 bonus cash back after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Earn unlimited 2.5% total cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more and unlimited 2% cash back on all other business purchases.
- Travel Benefits: Unlimited 5% total cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, No Foreign Transaction Fees and Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance.
- The only business credit card with 2.5% cash back on every purchase of $5,000 or more.
- Get the buying power you need to make large purchases, cover monthly expenses and help your business grow. While you must pay your Pay In Full balance each month, this card has built-in flexibility. The Flex for Business feature allows for qualifying purchases to be paid over time with interest.
- Purchase with confidence with built-in protections like Fraud Protection, Zero Liability Protection, Purchase Protection, Cell Phone Protection, and Extended Warranty Protection.
- There's no additional cost for employee cards. Monitor spend with digital tools like purchase alerts, set spending limits, reporting, and more.
- Member FDIC
Our pick for
Business travel card
Annual fee
$395
Rewards rate
2x-10x Miles
Intro offer
150,000 Miles
Pros
- Lounge membership
- High rewards rate
- Welcome offer
Cons
- High annual fee
- Requires excellent credit
- Balance must be paid in full every month
This beefed-up travel card is a great option for folks who can't stomach the annual fee of other luxury travel cards. You still get premium perks, like airport lounge access and an annual travel credit to use on bookings through Capital One Travel.
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- This card has no preset spending limit, so you get purchasing power that adapts to your spending needs. The annual fee on this card is $395
- Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get the best prices on thousands of options
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Travel
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy complimentary access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and membership to Priority Pass
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Travel rewards (flat-rate)
Annual fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $95
Rewards rate
2x-5x Points
Intro offer
50,000 Points
Pros
- High rewards rate
- No minimum redemption amount
Cons
- Has annual fee
- No Intro APR period
- High APR
This simple but valuable business credit card delivers a high rewards rate and added travel perks, including a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck fees. Plus, you can redeem your miles as a statement credit against travel purchases, giving you maximum flexibility.
- Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won't expire for the life of the account
- Unlimited 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Transfer your miles to 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Redeem your miles instantly for any travel-related purchases, from flights and hotels to ride-sharing services
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year; $95 after that
- Free employee cards which also earn unlimited 2X miles from their purchases
View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Unlimited 1.5% cash back
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5%-5% Cashback
Intro offer
$500
Pros
- No annual fee
- High rewards rate
- No reward caps
Cons
- Requires excellent credit
Simplicity is the name of the game for this business credit card. There's an excellent flat cash-back rate, no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees — a rare feature for a cash-back card and a major plus if you purchase inventory overseas.
- Earn a $500 bonus when you spend $4,500 in the first 3 months of account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back for your business on every purchase, everywhere — with no limits or category restrictions
- No annual fee
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Rewards won't expire for the life of the account
- Redeem your cash back rewards for any amount
- Free employee cards, which also earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- $0 Fraud Liability for unauthorized charges
View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Intro APR period (purchases)
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-3% Cashback
Intro offer
$750
Pros
- Bonus cash back categories
- No annual fee
- Intro APR period on purchases
Cons
- Requires good/excellent credit
- Low rate outside bonus categories
The
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®
is a triple-threat card, with a long intro APR period, a generous sign-up bonus and great cash-back rewards. If your business’s spending aligns with this card's bonus categories — gas, office supplies, cell phone service and restaurants — the Triple Cash is a home run.- Introducing the U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® the card that gives back on all your eligible business needs.
- Earn $750 in cash back. Just spend $6,000 on the Account Owner's card in the first 180 days of opening your account.
- Earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations and EV charging stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers and restaurants.
- 1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases.
- Earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Rewards Center.
- No limit on total cash back earned.
- Rewards never expire.
- Earn an annual $100 statement credit for recurring software subscription expenses such as FreshBooks or quickbooks.
- Great Offer from U.S. Bank, a 2022 World's Most Ethical Company® - Ethisphere Institute, February 2022.
- Terms and conditions apply.
View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Hotel business card
Annual fee
$125
Rewards rate
2x-6x Points
Intro offer
50,000 Points
Pros
- Anniversary perk
- High rewards rate
- Automatic elite status
Cons
- Has annual fee
- Rewards have limited flexibility
- Lower acceptance abroad
The free anniversary night benefit is reason enough to add this card to your business wallet. But you can also rack up a lot of points — and flex your elite status — at Marriott properties.
- WELCOME OFFER: Earn 3 Free Night Awards after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Each Free Night Award has a redemption level up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points, for a total potential value of up to 150,000 points, at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees. Terms apply.
- Receive a 7% discount on eligible bookings as a benefit of being both a Marriott Bonvoy® member & a Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card Member when you book directly with Marriott through an eligible channel for a participating property under the Amex Business Card Rate.
- 6x Marriott Bonvoy points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
- 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card.
- Terms apply.
View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Airline business credit card
United℠ Business Card
Read Review
Apply now
on Chase's website
Annual fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $99
Rewards rate
1x-2x Miles
Intro offer
75,000 Miles
Pros
- Free checked bag
- Lounge membership
- Anniversary perk
Cons
- Has annual fee
- Rewards have limited flexibility
Annual fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $99
Rewards rate
1x-2x Miles
Intro offer
75,000 Miles
Pros
- Free checked bag
- Lounge membership
- Anniversary perk
Cons
- Has annual fee
- Rewards have limited flexibility
If you regularly fly with United, this card is a smart choice. You can get perks like free checked bags, United Club passes and an annual travel credit (terms apply). But business owners who fly with multiple airlines will be better served by a general business travel card.
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.
- Receive a 5,000-mile "better together" bonus each anniversary when you have both the United℠ Business Card and a personal Chase United® credit card.
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, dining including eligible delivery services, at gas stations, office supply stores, and on local transit and commuting.
- Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. Plus, employee cards at no additional cost - miles earned from their purchases accrue in your account so you can earn rewards faster.
- Enjoy a free first checked bag - a savings of up to $160 per roundtrip (terms apply), 2 United Club(SM) one-time passes per year, and priority boarding privileges.
- $100 United® travel credit after 7 United flight purchases of $100 or more each anniversary year.
- Member FDIC
Our pick for
4X points on travel (up to $150K)
Annual fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $95
Rewards rate
1x-5x Points
Intro offer
60,000 Points
Pros
- Bonus categories
- Welcome offer
- Annual fee waived for the first year
Cons
- Requires good/excellent credit
- No intro APR offer
The Business Altitude's travel reward rate is unmatched and includes expenses like gas and EV charging stations, as well as hotels, airfare and rental cars. And its already low annual fee is waived for the first year.
- Introducing the U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect™ World Elite Mastercard®, the business travel card that's 5X more rewarding.
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points, worth $600 if you spend $6,000 on the Account Owner's card in the first 180 days from account opening.
- Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Rewards Center.
- Earn 4X points on travel, gas and EV charging stations on the first $150,000 in combined annual spend.
- Earn 2X points on dining, takeout, restaurant delivery and cell service providers.
- Earn 1X points on all other eligible spend.
- Rewards never expire.
- Earn a $25 statement credit for every three consecutive monthly taxi or rideshare trips.
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, $95 per year thereafter.
- Points transfer between business and consumer U.S. Bank Altitude products (excluding Reserve).
- Airport lounge access - Priority Pass™ Digital annual membership with access to more than 1,300 VIP lounges worldwide, plus four complimentary visits per membership year.
- Great Offer from U.S. Bank, a 2022 World's Most Ethical Company® - Ethisphere Institute, February 2022.
- Terms and conditions apply.
View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Corporate card (no personal guarantee)
Brex Card
Read Review
Apply now
on Brex's website
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1x-7x Points
Intro offer
10,000 Points
Pros
- No annual fee
- New cardholder bonus offer
- Qualify with limited/bad credit
- Bonus categories
- No foreign transaction fees
- No personal guarantee
Cons
- Complicated rewards structure
- High capital requirement for approval
- Daily repayment may be required
- Not available to sole proprietors
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1x-7x Points
Intro offer
10,000 Points
Pros
- No annual fee
- New cardholder bonus offer
- Qualify with limited/bad credit
- Bonus categories
- No foreign transaction fees
- No personal guarantee
Cons
- Complicated rewards structure
- High capital requirement for approval
- Daily repayment may be required
- Not available to sole proprietors
Well-funded startups looking for a corporate card will find a lot to like with the
Brex Card
, which features real-time expense tracking, spending controls and the potential to earn big rewards in select categories. Since this is a corporate card, it’s not available to sole proprietors.- Get 10,000 points when you spend $3,000 on a Brex Card within your first 3 months.
- No personal guarantee needed – Brex does not ask for a personal credit check or security deposit during the application.
- Credit limits 10-20x higher than traditional small business corporate cards.
- Minimum bank balance of $50,000 from professional investors may be required to qualify for Brex.
- Exclusive signup offers from the best products and tools for your business (e.g. AWS, Google Ads, WeWork, Salesforce) worth up to $150,000 in value.
- Earn points on every dollar spent with industry-leading multipliers: 7x on rideshare, 4x on Brex Travel, 3x on restaurants, 2x on software subscriptions and 1x on all other transactions.
- Earn 3x Brex Rewards points on all eligible Apple purchases through the link or your Brex dashboard.
- Miles transfer program to 7 airlines (including Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Air France, and more) and their loyalty programs, giving Brex customers access to book travel across all of the major global airline alliances - Star Alliance, Oneworld, and SkyTeam.
- 30-day charge card running on the Mastercard network. Enjoy global acceptance with no foreign transaction fees.
- Build business credit: Brex partners with Dun & Bradstreet and Experian to report your on-time payments.
- Make employee expenses seamless - automated receipt-capture and expense matching and reconciliation via text, email, and mobile app. Instantly add new users and set spending limits.
- Contactless pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.
- Simplify reconciliation with built-in integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite, and more.
These business credit cards are also worth considering. Before applying, confirm details on the issuer's website.
Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash℠ Card
Best for: Unlimited 2% cash back + no annual fee
NerdWallet star rating:
5
.If you're looking for a cash-back business card, the
Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash℠ Card
checks virtually every box. High rewards rate? Check. No annual fee? Check. Intro APR period? Check. Welcome offer? Check. In fact, it's hard to find something not to like about the Signify Business Cash, which is the only business credit card on our list to offer unlimited 2%
cash back on all purchases with no annual fee.- Welcome offer:Earn a $500 cash rewards bonus when you spend $5,000 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Rewards: Unlimited2%cash back on purchases.
- Annual fee: $0.
- Intro APR period: 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases, then18.49% – 26.49% Variable APR.
Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® Secured credit card
Best for: Secured business credit card
This card has not been rated by NerdWallet.
This Bank of America card is a great alternative for entrepreneurs who can't qualify for a standard business credit card. You'll need to put down a deposit, which serves as your credit limit. But unlike some other secured business cards, you'll earn rewards — unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases — and there's no annual fee. Use it responsibly to establish business credit and potentially get upgraded to a non-secured Bank of America business card.
- Welcome offer: None.
- Rewards: 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- Annual fee: $0.
- Intro APR period: None.
Choosing a business credit card: 10 factors to consider
Your business's spending and goals should dictate your choice of business credit card. A simple cash-back option with no annual fee is a great choice for most companies (and a good default if you're facing decision fatigue). Other decision factors include:
The main requirement for most business credit cards is good-to-excellent personal credit (a FICO score of 690+). Look to secured business cards or options for fair credit, like the
Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business
, if your score is below that range.Business revenue and time in business may influence your initial credit limit, but otherwise don't play a large role in approval. That's great for new businesses and very small businesses, which can get approved for a business card with $0 in annual revenue as long as the owner has strong personal credit.
Corporate cards are the exception: Approval is largely based on revenue, time in business and cash-on-hand. Most corporate card issuers don't even check your personal credit. Eligibility is typically limited to registered businesses (LLCs, corporations, partnerships, etc.). Sole proprietors are not eligible for most corporate cards.
Business card rewards fall into two categories: cash back or points/miles. Some cards, like the
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
, offer the best of both worlds, as your cash back is earned as points that can be redeemed as a statement credit or via the card's travel portal (often at a higher rate).Some business cards offer elevated rewards in specific categories — advertising, gas, shipping, travel, internet/phone service, etc. — which can be lucrative if you spend a lot in those areas. Just take note of any spending caps on those bonus categories.
Perks like software discounts, airport lounge access, and other statement credits can add a lot of value to a business card. Take stock of how often you'll realistically use those perks when comparing options.
Business card sign-up bonuses can add a ton of value to cards — if you can meet the spend requirements, which range from $6,000 to $30,000 depending on the card. Make sure you can easily hit the bonus requirements of any card you choose.
Eyeing equipment upgrades or need to float startup costs? Opt for a business card with a 0% intro APR period to save on costly interest charges.
Business owners who travel abroad or purchase inventory from overseas vendors should pay close attention to a card's foreign transaction fees. At 2%-3% of your purchase, foreign transaction fees can quickly cancel out any rewards earned on your card. Annual fees, late payment fees and other miscellaneous charges should also be taken into consideration.
Outside the hard inquiry from your initial application, most business cards only impact your personal credit score if you stop paying your bills.
But there is one notable outlier: Capital One Spark cards.
Capital One reports all activity on Spark business cards, including the
Capital One Spark Cash Select
and Capital One Spark Miles for Business
, to personal and business credit bureaus. (The Capital One Spark Cash Plus
and Capital One Venture X Business
are exceptions.) That's important, as credit utilization — how much of your available credit you use — plays a major role in your personal credit score. High utilization on even one card can drive down your personal credit score (even if you pay your bill on time), making it harder to qualify for everything from a mortgage to a cell phone plan.
What is reported to consumer credit bureaus | |
|---|---|
American Express | Only negative information. |
Bank of America | Only if your account is not in good standing. |
Capital One | All activity is reported to consumer credit bureaus (exceptions noted above). |
Chase | Only if the account is seriously delinquent. |
U.S. Bank | Only if the account is seriously delinquent. |
Wells Fargo | Only negative information. |
Corporate cards like Brex and Ramp do not report to consumer credit bureaus. | |
Business credit cards are a good fit for most businesses. Your credit limit on a business credit card may be low to start out, especially for new businesses or those without much revenue, but issuers will typically raise your limit after a few on-time payments. While you can carry a balance from month-to-month on a business card, you'll pay costly interest charges on any unpaid balances.
Business charge cards have no preset spending limit and may offer better rewards, but they leave you little wiggle room as most purchases need to be paid in full each statement cycle. Consider a charge card if your business has a big budget and steady cash flow.
Corporate cards usually have higher credit limits than traditional business cards, and they don't require a personal guarantee or credit check. Instead, approval is based on revenue, bank account balance and other business financial data. Corporate cards are not available to sole proprietors and other non-registered businesses.
Most business credit cards offer additional employee cards (tied to the same account) at no additional cost. If you plan to issue employee cards, consider what spending control are at your disposal, such as custom spending limits or restricting purchases to certain vendors, when you compare cards. And research whether spending on employee cards earns rewards and/or counts toward the bonus requirement.
Types of business credit cards
A business credit card can be a great tool to build business credit while earning rewards on things like operating costs and inventory, but they come with some risks, too. Weigh the benefits of a business credit card against any potential drawbacks before applying.
Pros
Build your business credit history.
Earn rewards for business spending.
Keep business and personal expenses separate.
Ability to issue employee cards; manage spending with custom controls.
Cons
Most busines cards require a personal guarantee.
You need good/excellent personal credit to qualify.
Interest rates are high compared with business loans and lines of credit.
Business cards have fewer federal protections than consumer credit cards.
Applying for a business credit card is pretty straightforward. Business credit card requirements typically include:
- Business name. No formal business name? Just use your name.
- Business contact information. If you don't have a separate business address and phone number, don't sweat it. Your personal address and phone number are just fine.
- Employer identification number or Social Security number. You can get a business credit card without an SSN, but you'll need different identifying info instead.
- Industry. This can be a broad category like retail, medical or professional services, or something more specific. If you're stumped, think about the service you provide. Drive for Uber? That's transportation. DoorDash or Grubhub? That's delivery.
- Business type. Corporation, LLC, partnership or sole proprietorship. Businesses without a formal or legal business structure can choose “sole proprietor.”
- Time in business, revenue and expenses. If your business has no annual revenue, simply enter "$0."
- Personal guarantee. Virtually all small-business credit card applications require a personal guarantee. This means you’re personally responsible for the balance on your business card even if your company goes belly up. Want to avoid the personal guarantee? Look to a corporate card like Ramp or Brex.
4 tips to maximize business credit card rewards
Business credit cards are a revolving line of credit that typically offers rewards, like cash back or points on purchases. Business credit cards are available to anyone with business income — gig workers, side hustlers and freelancers included. Approval for these cards largely depends on an applicant's personal credit history.
Corporate cards, sometimes called company cards, are different. These cards aren't available to sole proprietors, and approval is based on business financials rather than personal credit history. You typically need revenue in the multi-millions to qualify, though some options from fintech companies like Ramp and Brex, have more lenient requirements.
The
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
is NerdWallet’s overall pick for the best business credit card, thanks to its straightforward rewards (1.5%
on all purchases), long intro APR period and generous welcome offer. That combination of simplicity and value makes the Ink Business Unlimited one of the best credit cards for new businesses and established companies alike.Business credit cards typically have higher credit limits and bigger sign-up bonuses than personal credit cards. Rewards structures on small-business cards are different, too, particularly the categories that earn bonus rewards. There are also some differences in consumer protections and credit reporting for business cards vs. personal cards.
You don't need a formalized business to get a business credit card. If you have a side hustle, freelance, do gig work or occasionally sell things on Facebook Marketplace, you can apply for a small-business card, too. But be aware: Using a business card for non-business purposes may go against your card's terms and conditions.
Everyone from a CEO to a gig worker can apply for a small-business credit card. You don't need to be incorporated or have a formal business structure, like an LLC or partnership. Freelancers, independent contractors and other sole proprietors (i.e., self-employed folks) can apply for a small-business credit card to help manage business-related expenses, earn rewards and grow their enterprise.
A business card is a great tool to separate your business and personal finances and establish your business credit history. When you use the card only for business spending, its interest and fees can be tax-deductible business expenses. And business credit cards offer rewards, perks and bonuses that rival (and in many cases surpass) those on consumer credit cards.
From the forums: What small-business owners say about business credit cards
NerdWallet's writers regularly monitor forums like Reddit, Quora and MyFICO to stay keyed into small-business owners' questions about — and experiences with — business credit cards. Every month, we feature different questions, answers and insights here.
November's topic: Shifting credit limits.
One draw of pay-in-full business cards like the
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
, Ink Business Premier® Credit Card
and Capital One Venture X Business
is high spending limits. In fact, cards from Capital One and American Express technically have no preset spending limit. But no preset limit doesn't mean no limit period. Charges can be denied— even if they were approved in prior months. That can be frustrating, as evidenced by comments from some small-business owners on Reddit.
"It is impossible to operate reliably" with credit limits that adjust from month to month, one user said. Another noted that their card issuer "randomly declining transactions, seemingly with no explanation" was impacting their business and prompting them to look for another business card. (View the full conversation on Reddit.)
Most business cards with no preset spending limit specify that your purchasing power will vary from month to month depending on spending, payment and credit history, among other factors. If you opt for one of these cards, make sure you know how to verify your limit before making a purchase — especially a large one. Capital One says to check the “Confirm Purchasing Power” option online or call them, for instance.
If that feels like a hassle, opt for a business credit card with a set limit. It may not offer you the same initial spending power, but at least it will have predictability. While your credit limit on these cards may increase periodically, it will rarely decrease. You are typically notified in writing of any limit change.
Business card recommendations for very small businesses (~$10,000 in annual expenses). View the full conversation on Reddit.
Entrepreneurs with small operations and minimal expenses don't need to stress about caps on rewards. But earning sign-up bonuses can be challenging. That makes the following picks solid, as they require just $3,000 spent (low by business card standards) to earn their welcome offers:
- The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card.
- Ink Business Cash® Credit Card.
- Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card.
Redditors mention some additional options, like the
Capital One Spark Cash Select
. That's a great card, but it has a higher spend requirement than those above — though its bonus is bigger, too (see rates and fees). Another user mentions the Business Green Rewards Card from American Express
. And while that card's bonus is attainable, we think its annual fee and middling rewards make it a lackluster choice overall.NerdWallet evaluates business credit cards on more than a dozen factors, including annual fee, welcome bonus, rewards rate, bonus categories and intro APR period. Business cards need to earn at least 4 stars or be the best in their category (corporate cards, for example) to make our list of best business credit cards.
Business cards that earn 5 stars are considered exceptional. These cards are best-in-class and deliver the most value for the greatest number of business owners.
Business cards that earn 4.0 to 4.9 stars are good to excellent. They deliver excellent value and might be the best choice for certain businesses, depending on your needs and spending habits.
Business cards that earn 3.0 to 3.9 stars are fine business cards. You'll get some value out of using them, to be sure, but there are other cards that offer better rewards.
Business cards that earn below 3 stars are considered subpar and would generally not be recommended by NerdWallet.
To view rates and fees of
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
, see this page. To view rates and fees of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
, see this page.To view rates and fees of
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
, see this page.To view rates and fees of the
American Express® Business Gold Card
, see this page.To view rates and fees of the
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
, see this page. View rates and fees of
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
.View rates and fees of
Capital One Spark Miles for Business
.View rates and fees of
Capital One Spark Cash Select
.The information related to the Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash℠ Card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.
Information for the Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business was not reviewed by or provided by Capital One.
All information about the Business Green Rewards Card from American Express has been collected independently by NerdWallet. The Business Green Rewards Card from American Express is no longer available through NerdWallet.
Last updated on November 7, 2024